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Adams expresses concern at border checks warning from Barnier

Sinn Féin President and Louth TD Gerry Adams has expressed
concern at the warning from EU negotiator Michel Barnier that border checks are
‘unavoidable’ as a result of the British government’s failure to agree progress
on the transition arrangements following Brexit next March.

Teachta Adams said:

“The warning from Michel Barnier today that agreement on a
transition arrangement is not a given, following several days of negotiations
between Britain and the EU and that border checks are unavoidable as a result
of the British government’s stance, is deeply worrying for the people of Louth
and the border region.

“The EU Council is due to meet in March and, by that stage,
it was expected that the British would have clarified what kind of relationship
they wanted with the EU post-Brexit. Agreement was also to be achieved on the
structure and detail of the transition arrangements.

“It would appear from Mr Barnier’s comments this morning
that no agreement has been reached on either of these matters. Mr. Barnier
pointed out that ‘time is short, very short, and we haven’t a minute to
lose if we want to succeed’.

“It is also reported that Britain has been told that the EU
draft withdrawal agreement will stipulate that the North will in effect
remain in the single market and customs in order to avoid a hard border.

“The Irish government must urgently seek clarification from the
EU negotiating team on the current state of play with the British.
Specifically, we need to know if the legal language of the draft agreement will
support the North remaining within the single market and customs union; if the
Irish government will support that position; and will it refuse to accept, as
was agreed in December, that there will be no hard border?

“The Irish government must also demand that the
British government spell out what measures it plans to put in place to ensure
that full regulatory alignment is put in place.”